Apparatus and method for estimating anaerobic threshold

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for estimating an anaerobic threshold may include a heart rate detector configured to detect a heart rate from a signal sensed from a user, and an anaerobic threshold estimator configured to estimate an anaerobic threshold of the user based on a change in the detected heart rate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0130562 filed on Nov. 16, 2012, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to an apparatus and method forestimating an anaerobic threshold based on a change in a condition of auser during exercise.

2. Description of Related Art

An exercise capacity test measures a level of physical exertion anindividual is able to achieve before reaching a maximum heart rate. Insome instances, an exercise capacity test may be hard on theindividual's body. Also, it has been reported that results produced byan exercise capacity test may be overestimated.

As an alternative approach, an exercise capacity may be measured basedon an anaerobic threshold. The anaerobic threshold is determined bytesting a blood sample. However, drawing blood incurs displeasure, pain,and reluctance on the part of an individual. In addition, a bloodtesting device is expensive, and it is uncommon for an ordinary personto use one to determine an anaerobic threshold.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, an apparatus for estimating an anaerobicthreshold includes a heart rate detector configured to detect a heartrate from a signal sensed from a user; and an anaerobic thresholdestimator configured to estimate an anaerobic threshold of the userbased on a change in the heart rate.

The anaerobic threshold estimator may be further configured to estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart ratecorresponding to the change in the heart rate.

The anaerobic threshold estimator may be further configured to estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a time it takes for the heart rate toreach a steady state at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercisebeing performed by the user, and the heart rate in the steady state.

In another general aspect, an apparatus for estimating an anaerobicthreshold includes a kinetic energy calculator configured to calculate akinetic energy of a physical motion sensed from a user; and an anaerobicthreshold estimator configured to estimate an anaerobic threshold of theuser based on a change in a heart rate of the user and the calculatedkinetic energy.

The kinetic energy calculator may be further configured to monitorwhether an exercise intensity of exercise being performed by the user isgradually increasing based on an amount of activity performed by theuser measured based on the calculated kinetic energy.

The anaerobic threshold estimator may be further configured to estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart rateoccurring while the exercise intensity is gradually increasing.

The anaerobic threshold estimator may be further configured to estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart ratecorresponding to the change in the heart rate.

The anaerobic threshold estimator may be further configured to estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a time it takes for the heart rate toreach a steady state at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercisebeing performed by the user, and a heart rate in the steady state.

In another general aspect, an exercise guide apparatus includes ananaerobic threshold receiver configured to receive an anaerobicthreshold of a user estimated based on a heart rate of the user from ananaerobic threshold estimating apparatus; and an exercise programprovider configured to provide an exercise program to meet an exercisegoal associated with personal information of the user based on theanaerobic threshold.

The exercise program provider may be further configured to adjust anexercise intensity of the exercise program based on the exercise goalassociated with the personal information of the user and the anaerobicthreshold.

In another general aspect, a method of estimating an anaerobic thresholdincludes detecting a heart rate from a signal sensed from a user; andestimating an anaerobic threshold of the user based on a change in theheart rate.

The estimating of the anaerobic threshold may include estimating theanaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart ratecorresponding to the change in the heart rate.

The estimating of the anaerobic threshold may include estimating theanaerobic threshold based on a time it takes for the heart rate to reacha steady state at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercise beingperformed by the user, and a heart rate in the steady state.

In another general aspect, a method of estimating an anaerobic thresholdincludes calculating a kinetic energy from a physical motion sensed froma user; and estimating an anaerobic threshold of the user based on achange in a heart rate of the user and the calculated kinetic energy.

The method may further include monitoring whether an exercise intensityof exercise being performed by the user is gradually increasing based onan amount of activity performed by the user measured based on thecalculated amount of the kinetic energy.

The estimating of the anaerobic threshold may include estimating theanaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart rateoccurring while the exercise intensity is gradually increasing.

The estimating of the anaerobic threshold may include estimating theanaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart ratecorresponding to the change in the heart rate.

The estimating of the anaerobic threshold may include estimating theanaerobic threshold based on a time it takes for the heart rate to reacha steady state at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercise beingperformed by the user, and a heart rate in the steady state.

In another general aspect, an exercise guide method includes receivingan anaerobic threshold of a user estimated based on a heart rate of theuser from an anaerobic threshold estimating apparatus; and providing anexercise program to meet an exercise goal associated with personalinformation of the user based on the anaerobic threshold.

The exercise guide method may further include adjusting an exerciseintensity of the exercise program based on the exercise goal associatedwith the personal information of the user and the anaerobic threshold.

In another general aspect, an apparatus for estimating an anaerobicthreshold includes a sensor configured to sense a signal from a user;and an estimator configured to detect whether an exercise intensity ofexercise being performed by a user has a predetermined pattern based onthe signal, and estimate an anaerobic threshold of the user in responseto the exercise intensity having the predetermined pattern.

The predetermined pattern of exercise intensity may be a graduallyincreasing exercise intensity.

The apparatus may further include a second sensor configured to sense asecond signal from the user; and the estimator may be further configuredto estimate an anaerobic threshold of the user in response to theexercise intensity having the predetermined pattern based on the secondsignal.

The signal may be a signal indicative of a physical motion of the user;and the second signal may be a signal indicative of a heart rate of theuser.

In another general aspect, an apparatus for estimating an anaerobicthreshold includes a detector configured to detect a signal sensed fromthe user; and an estimator configured to estimate an anaerobic thresholdof the user based on a change in the signal.

The estimator may be further configured to estimate the anaerobicthreshold of the user based on a deflection point of the signalcorresponding to the change in the signal.

The apparatus may further include a detector configured to detect aphysical motion of the user; and the anaerobic threshold estimator maybe further configured to estimate the anaerobic threshold based on thesignal and the physical motion of the user.

The estimator may be further configured to estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on the signal in response to the physical motioncorresponding to a predetermined pattern of exercise intensity ofexercise being performed by the user.

The predetermined pattern of exercise intensity may be a graduallyincreasing exercise intensity.

The estimator may be further configured to estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a time it takes for the signal to reach a steadystate at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercise being performedby the user, and a value of the signal in the steady state.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus forestimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are graphs illustrating examples of a method of estimatingan anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another example of an apparatusfor estimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating another example of a method of estimatingan anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a userterminal for estimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a detailed example ofthe user terminal of FIG. 6 for estimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another example of auser terminal for estimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a detailed example ofthe user terminal of FIG. 8 for estimating an anaerobic threshold.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an exercise guideapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses,and/or systems described herein. However, various changes,modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/orsystems described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art. The sequences of operations described herein are merelyexamples, and are not limited to those set forth herein and may bechanged as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, withthe exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order.Also, description of functions and constructions that are well known toone of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarityand conciseness.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same referencenumerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale,and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in thedrawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus 101for estimating an anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG. 1, theapparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold includes a heartrate detecting unit 102 and an anaerobic threshold estimating unit 103.

The heart rate detecting unit 102 may sense a potential signal from auser for use in detecting a change in a condition of the user duringexercise. The heart rate detecting unit 102 may include a heart ratesensor, an electromyogram (EMG) sensor, or any other sensor capable ofsensing the potential signal. The change in condition is a change in aphysical condition of the user produced by exercise compared to aphysical condition of the user at rest, for example, a change in apulse, a change in a heart rate, or a change in any other physicalcondition. The potential signal may be a voltage signal. However, acurrent signal or any other type of signal may be sensed from the userusing an appropriate sensor.

The heart rate detecting unit 102 may amplify the potential signal basedon an intensity of the potential signal. The heart rate detecting unit102 may filter the potential signal to extract a frequency band in whicha heart rate may be detected, and detect the heart rate in the extractedfrequency band. The heart rate detecting unit 102 may filter thepotential signal sensed by a heart rate sensor, an EMG sensor, or othersensor to extract the frequency band in which the heart rate may bedetected.

Also, the heart rate detecting unit 102 may monitor a change in thedetected heart rate. By monitoring the change in the detected heartrate, the apparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold maycalculate data for a change in a condition of the user during a courseof exercise being performed by the user. Also, the apparatus 101 forestimating an anaerobic threshold may monitor a change in a heart rateto measure an anaerobic threshold of the user.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 103 may estimate an anaerobicthreshold of the user based on the change in the heart rate. Theanaerobic threshold estimating unit 103 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold of the user based on a heart rate at a predetermined exerciseintensity.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 103 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold of the user based on a first heart rate deflection pointrather than a maximum heart rate because an anaerobic threshold pointmay be approximated by the first heart rate deflection point.Accordingly, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit 103 may estimatethe anaerobic threshold of the user without needing to know a maximumheart rate of the user. A further description of the anaerobic thresholdestimation is provided below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

As described in the foregoing, the apparatus 101 for estimating ananaerobic threshold may sense a potential signal from a user through aseparate sensor, and estimate an anaerobic threshold of the user. Theapparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold may operate with aminimum influence of an external environment by sensing the potentialsignal from the user through the sensor irrespective of a time and alocation. For example, the apparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobicthreshold may estimate the anaerobic threshold of the user by sensingthe potential signal from the user irrespective of whether the userexercises indoors or outdoors.

Also, the apparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold mayreceive an input of an anaerobic threshold from the user if the useralready knows his anaerobic threshold.

The apparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold may estimate theanaerobic threshold of the user while the user is using a treadmill, anexercise bike, or other exercise equipment enabling the user to performexercise with a gradually increasing exercise intensity.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are graphs illustrating examples of a method of estimatingan anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG. 2, the anaerobic thresholdestimating unit may estimate an anaerobic threshold based on a change ina heart rate 201 occurring during exercise having a gradually increasingexercise intensity. The anaerobic threshold estimating unit may estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a heart rate deflection pointcorresponding to the change in the heart rate 201. The anaerobicthreshold estimating unit may extract the heart rate deflection pointthrough differentiation of a regression change and differentiation of aninclination change based on data corresponding to the change in theheart rate 201. The anaerobic threshold estimating unit may extract theheart rate deflection point using various data extraction methods.

The reason for extracting the heart rate deflection point is that ananaerobic threshold point may be approximated by the heart ratedeflection point. Accordingly, the anaerobic threshold estimating unitmay estimate the anaerobic threshold by extracting the heart ratedeflection point.

For example, the heart rate deflection point may include a first heartrate deflection point 203 and a second heart rate deflection point 204.

The first heart rate deflection point 203 is a first deflection point ofthe heart rate 201 changing during a course of exercise having agradually increasing exercise intensity being performed by the user. Thefirst heart rate deflection point 203 is a point at which a change inthe heart rate 201 initially may occur after the user starts toexercise. The second heart rate deflection point 204 is a seconddeflection point of the heart rate 201 changing during the course of theexercise having a gradually increasing exercise intensity beingperformed by the user. The second heart rate deflection point 204 is apoint at which the heart rate 201 reaches a maximum level due tocontinuous exercise performed by the user.

A lactate change 202 may occur in response to the exercise having agradually increasing exercise intensity being performed by the user. Thelactate change 202 may occur at points corresponding approximately tothe first heart rate deflection point 203 and the second heart ratedeflection point 204. A first lactate change 205 may occur at a pointcorresponding approximately to the first heart rate deflection point203, and a second lactate change 206 may occur at a point correspondingapproximately to the second heart rate deflection point 204.

Based on the correspondence between the deflection points of the heartrate 201 and the lactate change 202, the anaerobic threshold estimatingunit may estimate an anaerobic threshold corresponding to the firstlactate change 205 based on the first heart rate deflection point 203.This eliminates the need to detect the first lactate change 205 directlyby testing a blood sample from the user.

Because the second heart rate deflection point 204 corresponds to apoint at which the heart rate 201 reaches a maximum level during theexercise having a gradually increasing exercise intensity performed bythe user, a user's body may be stressed before reaching the second heartrate deflection point 204. Accordingly, the anaerobic thresholdestimating unit may estimate the anaerobic threshold based on the firstheart rate deflection point 203 rather than the second heart ratedeflection point 204 to minimize the stress on the user's body.

Referring to FIG. 3, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit mayestimate an anaerobic threshold based on a predetermined exerciseintensity. The predetermined exercise intensity may be an exerciseintensity defined at a predetermined level for estimating the anaerobicthreshold. The anaerobic threshold estimating unit may measure a changein a heart rate at the predetermined exercise intensity. The anaerobicthreshold estimating unit may estimate an anaerobic threshold based asteady state attained by the heart rate being measured. The steady stateis a state in which a physical response, for example, a heart rate, isremains constant while the user exercises. The anaerobic thresholdestimating unit may estimate the anaerobic threshold based on a time ittakes for a heart rate to reach a steady state, and the heart rate inthe steady state.

For example, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit may measure a heartrate of a user A 301 and a heart rate of a user B 302 in response to apredetermined exercise intensity, for example, walking at 6 km/h. InFIG. 3, a1 303 and b1 305 denote a time it takes for the heart rate toreach a steady state, and a2 304 and b2 306 denote an average heart ratein the steady state.

The heart rate of the user A 301 reaches a steady state during a time a1303, and the heart rate of the user B 302 reaches a steady state duringa time b1 305. The time a1 303 is longer than the time b1 305.

As the anaerobic threshold increases, the time it takes for the heartrate to reach the steady state in response to a predetermined exerciseintensity decreases as shown by the interval a1 303 and the interval b1305, and the heart rate in the steady state decreases as shown in theheart rate a2 304 and the heart rate b2 306. That is, a higher anaerobicthreshold may be characterized by a shorter time for the heart rate toreach a steady state and a lower heart rate in the steady state.

Accordingly, the user B 302 having the shorter time for the heart rateto reach the steady state and the lower heart rate in the steady statemay be determined to have a higher anaerobic threshold than the user A301. The user B 302 may be estimated to have a higher exercise capacitythan the user A 301 based on the higher anaerobic threshold of the userB 302.

For example, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit may estimate theanaerobic threshold using Equation 1.

The anaerobic threshold=A*(the time it takes for the heart rate to reacha steady state, i.e. a1 or b1)+B*(the average heart rate in the steadystate, i.e. a2 or b2)+C  [Equation 1]

In Equation 1, A, B, C denote constant.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit may estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on personal information associated with the exerciseperformed by the user. The personal information may include, forexample, a body mass index (BMI), an age, a gender, a rest period, andany other personal information. For example, the anaerobic thresholdestimating unit may modify Equation 1 based on the BMI, the age, thegender, the rest period and so on.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another example of an apparatus401 for estimating an anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG. 4, theapparatus 401 for estimating an anaerobic threshold may include akinetic energy calculating unit 402 and an anaerobic thresholdestimating unit 403.

The kinetic energy calculating unit 402 may sense a physical motion of auser. The kinetic energy calculating unit 402 may sense the physicalmotion of the user from a sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor.The physical motion may include a motion vector magnitude (VM), a numberof steps, or any other physical motion. The kinetic energy calculatingunit 402 may calculate kinetic energy of the physical motion based onthe sensed physical motion. The kinetic energy calculating unit 402 maycalculate the kinetic energy by integrating the sensed physical motion.

The kinetic energy calculating unit 402 may measure an amount ofactivity performed by the user based on the calculated kinetic energy.The kinetic energy calculating unit 402 may monitor whether an exerciseintensity is gradually increasing based on the measured amount ofactivity.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 403 may estimate an anaerobicthreshold based on a heart rate deflection point and the amount ofactivity performed by the user. The estimating of the anaerobicthreshold based on the amount of activity performed by the user isdescribed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 403 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold of the user based on a change in a heart rate. The anaerobicthreshold estimating unit 403 may estimate the anaerobic threshold ofthe user based on a change in a heart rate at a predetermined exerciseintensity.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 403 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold of the user based on a first heart rate deflection pointrather than a maximum heart rate because an anaerobic threshold pointmay be approximated by the first heart rate deflection point.Accordingly, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit 403 may estimatethe anaerobic threshold of the user without needing to know a maximumheart rate of the user.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 403 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a time it takes for a heart rate to reach a steadystate at a predetermined exercise intensity, and the heart rate in thesteady state.

Accordingly, the apparatus 401 for estimating an anaerobic threshold mayestimate the anaerobic threshold based on a heart rate of the user atrest, a heart rate based on an amount of activity performed by the user,and a heart rate at a predetermined exercise intensity.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating another example of a method of estimatingan anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG. 5, the anaerobic thresholdestimating unit may estimate an anaerobic threshold based on a heartrate changing with a change in an amount of activity performed by auser. The amount of activity may increase rapidly when an exerciseintensity changes due to a change in motion. For example, the amount ofactivity may increase rapidly when an exercise intensity changes fromwalking to running. Also, a heart rate may increase with a change in anamount of activity. However, a heart rate increasing rapidly with achange in an amount of activity may be different from a heart ratesuitable for estimating an anaerobic threshold. Accordingly, theanaerobic threshold estimating unit may estimate an anaerobic thresholdbased on a heart rate deflection point of a heart rate graduallyincreasing with a gradual increase in an amount of activity produced bya gradual increase in an exercise intensity, rather than a heart rateincreasing rapidly with a change in an amount of activity.

Accordingly, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit may estimate ananaerobic threshold based on a heart rate deflection point occurringduring a gradual increase in an amount of activity.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a userterminal for estimating an anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG. 6, asensing device 601 may perform exercise monitoring 602. The sensingdevice 601 may sense a potential signal from a user for use in detectinga change in a condition of the user during exercise. The sensing device601 may transmit the sensed potential signal of the user to a userterminal 603 capable of transmitting and receiving data. The sensingdevice 601 may interoperate with or be connected to the user terminal603 via a wireless communication.

The user terminal 603 may perform anaerobic threshold estimation 604.The user terminal 603 may estimate an anaerobic threshold of the userbased on the sensed potential signal. The user terminal 603 may estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on data corresponding to a change in aheart rate of the user. In particular, the user terminal 603 mayestimate the anaerobic threshold based on a heart rate deflection pointcorresponding to the change in the heart rate of the user. The userterminal 603 may set an exercise goal of the user based on the estimatedanaerobic threshold. The user terminal 603 may provide the user with theexercise goal of the user.

The user terminal 603 may may interoperate with a server 605. The server605 may receive data associated with the anaerobic threshold of the useror the exercise goal of the user from the user terminal 603. The server603 may share the received data with users of a social network.

Accordingly, the sensing device 601 may sense a potential signal from auser, and may transmit the sensed potential signal to the user terminal603. The user terminal 603 may estimate an anaerobic threshold of theuser based on the received potential signal.

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a detailed example ofthe user terminal of FIG. 6 for estimating an anaerobic threshold.Referring to FIG. 7, a sensing device 701 may include a potential signalelectrode unit 702, a differential amplifying unit 703, a motion sensingunit 704, and a transmitting unit 705.

The potential signal electrode unit 702 may sense a potential signalfrom a user for use in detecting a change in a condition of the userduring exercise.

The differential amplifying unit 703 may differentially amplify thepotential signal of the user based on an intensity of the potentialsignal. The differential amplifying unit 703 may amplify the potentialsignal of the user based on the intensity of the potential signal toextract the potential signal.

The motion sensing unit 704 may sense a physical motion of the user. Themotion sensing unit 704 may sense the physical motion from a sensor, forexample, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a motionsensor, or any other sensor capable of sensing physical motion. Themotion sensing unit 704 may sense the physical motion of the user foruse in detecting a gradually increasing exercise intensity of exerciseperformed by the user when the user is not using a treadmill or anexercise bike capable of providing a gradually increasing exerciseintensity.

The transmitting unit 705 may transmit the sensed potential signal andthe sensed physical motion of the user to a user terminal 706.

The user terminal 706 may include a receiving unit 707, a heart ratedetecting unit 708, a kinetic energy calculating unit 709, a gradualincrease in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710, a heart rate trendmeasuring unit 711, an anaerobic threshold estimating unit 712, anexercise goal setting unit 713, an exercise guide unit 714, a displayunit 715, and a communication unit 717. The user terminal 706 mayfurther include a speaker unit 716 depending on an environment in whichthe user terminal 706 is to be used.

The receiving unit 707 may receive the sensed potential signal and thesensed physical motion of the user from the sensing device 701.

The heart rate detecting unit 708 may filter the sensed potential signalto extract a frequency band in which a heart rate may be detected, andmay detect the heart rate in the extracted frequency band. The heartrate detecting unit 708 may detect the heart rate from a potentialsignal sensed from any of various types of sensors capable of measuringa physical change of the user, such as a heart rate sensor, an EMGsensor, or other sensor.

The kinetic energy calculating unit 709 may calculate a kinetic energybased on the physical motion sensed by the motion sensing unit 704. Thephysical motion may include a motion VM, a number of steps, or any otherphysical motion. The motion VM may be determined based on anacceleration value from an acceleration sensor. The kinetic energycalculating unit 709 may measure an amount of activity performed by theuser based on the calculated kinetic energy. The kinetic energycalculating unit 709 may calculate the kinetic energy by performingintegrating the sensed physical motion.

The gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710 maymonitor an exercise intensity based on the measured amount of activity.The gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710 maymonitor whether an exercise intensity of exercise being performed by theuser is gradually increasing. If the exercise intensity is graduallyincreasing, an anaerobic threshold may be estimated. If the exerciseintensity is not gradually increasing, for example, if the exerciseintensity is not changing, or is decreasing, or is randomly fluctuating,or is abruptly or rapidly changing, an anaerobic intensity may not beestimated. By monitoring an exercise intensity based on the measuredamount of activity, the gradual increase in exercise intensityevaluating unit 710 may distinguish between different amounts ofactivity, for example, when the user walks and when the user runs. Thegradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710 may monitorthe exercise intensity based on the motion VM. For example, The gradualincrease in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710 may determine thatthe exercise intensity is gradually increasing when the motion VM isgradually increasing.

The gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710 mayestimate an amount of activity based on the heart rate detected by theheart rate detecting unit 708, and may monitor an exercise intensitybased on the estimated amount of activity. The amount of activity andthe heart rate increase in proportion to an exercise intensity ofexercise being performed by the user.

The heart rate trend measuring unit 711 may monitor a change in a heartrate based on the sensed potential signal or the sensed physical motionsignal. By monitoring the change in the heart rate, the heart rate trendmeasuring unit 711 may calculate data for a change in a condition of theuser while the user is performing exercise.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may estimate an anaerobicthreshold based on data associated with the change in the heart rate ifthe gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710determines that an exercise intensity is gradually increasing. Theanaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a heart rate deflection point. The anaerobicthreshold estimating unit 712 may extract the heart rate deflectionpoint using differentiation of a regression change and differentiationof an inclination change based on data corresponding to the change inthe heart rate. The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a first heart rate deflection pointbased on a characteristic that a heart rate deflection pointapproximates an anaerobic threshold point. The anaerobic thresholdestimating unit 712 may minimize a stress on a body of the user byestimating the anaerobic threshold based on a heart rate at a lowexercise intensity corresponding to the first heart rate deflectionpoint.

Alternatively, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may estimatethe anaerobic threshold based on a predetermined exercise intensity. Theanaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may measure a change in a heartrate at the predetermined exercise intensity. The anaerobic thresholdestimating unit 712 may estimate the anaerobic threshold based on a timeit takes for the heart rate to reach a steady state at the predeterminedexercise intensity, and the heart rate in the steady state.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 712 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a characteristic that as an anaerobic thresholdincreases, the time it takes for a heart rate to reach a steady state ata predetermined exercise intensity decreases, and the heart rate in thesteady state decreases.

The exercise goal setting unit 713 may set an exercise goal of the userbased on the estimated anaerobic threshold. The exercise goal settingunit 713 may set the exercise goal corresponding to a purpose of theexercise based on the anaerobic threshold and the heart rate of theuser.

The exercise guide unit 714 may provide the user with a guide to anexercise program suitable for the user based on the exercise goal thathas been set. The exercise guide unit 714 may provide the user with aguide to an individualized exercise program to meet the purpose ofexercise, for example, weight loss, cardiovascular enduranceimprovement, or any other purpose of exercise.

The display unit 715 may display the exercise program on the userterminal 706. The display unit 715 may display various user information,for example, an exercise goal, exercise state data, or any other userinformation. The display unit 715 may enable the user to adjust items tobe displayed to enable the display unit 715 to display personalized userinformation.

The speaker unit 716 may provide exercise state data of the user througha speaker. The speaker unit 716 may provide the exercise data of theuser through the speaker, for example, a number of may set for exercisebeing performed, a heart rate, an anaerobic threshold, or any otherexercise data.

The communication unit 717 may interoperate with a server 718. Theserver 718 may interoperate with the user terminal 706. The server 718may receive data of the user, for example, an anaerobic threshold, fromthe user terminal 706, and may stored the data. The server 718 mayprovide the stored data to the user terminal 706 in response to arequest from the user terminal 706. The server 718 may share the storeddata with users of a social network, and may perform a trend analysis onthe stored data.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another example of auser terminal for estimating an anaerobic threshold. Referring to FIG.8, a sensing device 801 may perform exercise monitoring 802 andanaerobic threshold estimation 803. The sensing device 801 may sense apotential signal from a user, and may estimate an anaerobic thresholdbased on the potential signal of the user. The sensing device 801 maysense a potential signal or a physical motion from a user. The sensingdevice 801 may estimate an anaerobic threshold based on the potentialsignal or the physical motion of the user.

The sensing device 801 may differentially amplify the potential signalof the user based on an intensity of the potential signal.

The sensing device 801 may estimate an anaerobic threshold of the userbased on the potential signal or the physical motion of the user. Thesensing device 801 may monitor the potential signal and the physicalmotion of the user. The sensing device 801 may monitor the potentialsignal and the physical motion of the user based on a change in a heartrate of the user, or an amount of activity performed by the usermeasured based on a kinetic energy calculated from the physical motionof the user. The sensing device 801 may estimate an anaerobic thresholdbased on a time it takes for a heart rate to reach a steady state at apredetermined exercise intensity, and the heart rate in the steadystate.

The sensing device 801 may set an exercise goal suitable for the userbased on the anaerobic threshold and the heart rate, and may provide theuser a guide to an exercise program corresponding to the exercise goal.The sensing device 801 may interoperate with or connects to a userterminal 804 via a wireless communication.

The user terminal 804 may receive a signal related to the anaerobicthreshold and the heart rate of the user, and may provide the receivedsignal to the user.

The user terminal 804 may interoperate with a server 805. The server 805may receive data of the user, for example, an anaerobic threshold, fromthe user terminal 804, and may store the data. The server 805 may sharethe stored data with users of a social network, and may conduct a trendanalysis on the stored data. The server 805 may provide the stored datato the user terminal 804 in response to a request from the user terminal804.

FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a detailed example ofthe user terminal of FIG. 8 for estimating an anaerobic threshold.Referring to FIG. 9, a sensing device 901 may include a potential signalelectrode unit 902, a differential amplifying unit 903, a heart ratedetecting unit 904, a motion sensing unit 905, a kinetic energycalculating unit 906, a gradual increase in exercise intensityevaluating unit 907, a heart rate trend measuring unit 908, an anaerobicthreshold estimating unit 909, an exercise goal setting unit 910, and anexercise guide unit 911.

The potential signal electrode unit 902 may sense a potential signalfrom a user.

The differential amplifying unit 903 may differentially amplify thepotential signal of the user based on an intensity of the potentialsignal.

The heart rate detecting unit 904 may filter the sensed potential signalto extract a frequency band in which a heart rate may be detected, andmay detect a heart rate in the extracted frequency band. The heart ratedetecting unit 904 may detect the heart rate from a potential signalsensed from any of various types of sensors capable of measuring aphysical change of the user, such as a heart rate sensor, an EMG sensor,or other sensor.

The motion sensing unit 905 may sense a physical motion of the user froma sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocitysensor, a motion sensor, or any other sensor capable of sensing physicalmotion.

The kinetic energy calculating unit 906 may calculate a kinetic energybased on the sensed physical motion, and may measure an amount ofactivity based on the calculated kinetic energy. The kinetic energycalculating unit 906 may calculate the kinetic energy by integrating thephysical motion.

The gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 907 maymonitor an exercise intensity based on the amount of activity measuredby the kinetic energy calculating unit 906. The gradual increase inexercise intensity evaluating unit 907 may monitor whether an exerciseintensity is gradually increasing to determine whether an anaerobicthreshold is to be estimated.

The heart rate trend measuring unit 908 may monitor a change in a heartrate based on the sensed potential signal and the sensed physicalmotion. The heart rate trend measuring unit 908 may calculate data for achange in a condition of the user while the user is performing exerciseby monitoring the change in the heart rate.

The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 909 may estimate an anaerobicthreshold based on data associated with the change in the heart rate.The anaerobic threshold estimating unit 909 may estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a heart rate deflection point.

The exercise goal setting unit 910 may set an exercise goal of the usercorresponding to a purpose of exercise based on the anaerobic thresholdand the heart rate of the user.

The exercise guide unit 911 may provide the user with a guide to anindividualized exercise program to meet the purpose of exercise, forexample, weight loss, cardiovascular endurance improvement, or any otherpurpose of exercise.

A user terminal 912 may include a display unit 913 and a communicationunit 915. The user terminal 912 may further include a speaker unit 914depending on an environment in which the user terminal 912 is to beused.

The display unit 913 displays the exercise program on the user terminal912. The display unit 913 may display various user information, forexample, an exercise goal, exercise state data, and or any other userinformation. The display unit 913 may enable the user to adjust items tobe displayed to enable the display unit 913 to display personalized userinformation.

The speaker unit 914 may provide exercise state data of the user througha speaker. The speaker unit 914 may provide the exercise data of theuser through the speaker, for example, a number of may set for exercisecurrently being performed, a heart rate, an anaerobic threshold, or anyother exercise data.

The communication unit 915 may interoperate with a server 916. Theserver 916 may interoperate with the user terminal 912. The server 916may receive data of the user, for example, an anaerobic threshold, fromthe user terminal 912, and store the data. The server 916 may share thestored data with users of a social network, and may conduct a trendanalysis on the stored data. The server 916 may provide the stored datato the user terminal 912 in response to a request from the user terminal912.

The server 605 of FIG. 6, the server 718 of FIG. 7, the server 805 ofFIG. 8, and the server 916 of FIG. 9 may be included or excluded.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an exercise guideapparatus 1002. Referring to FIG. 10, the exercise guide apparatus 1002may include an anaerobic threshold receiving unit 1003 and an exerciseprogram providing unit 1004.

The anaerobic threshold receiving unit 1003 may receive an anaerobicthreshold of a user estimated based on a heart rate of the user from theanaerobic threshold estimating apparatus 1001.

The exercise program providing unit 1004 may provide the user with asuitable exercise program for a purpose of exercise associated withpersonal information based on the anaerobic threshold. The personalinformation may include a weight, a height, a human body fat, anexercise intensity, or any other personal information.

The exercise program providing unit 1004 may provide the exerciseprogram by adjusting an exercise intensity based on the personalinformation associated with the purpose of exercise. The exerciseprogram providing unit 1004 may estimate an exercise capacity of theuser based on the anaerobic threshold. The exercise capacity is a levelof physical exertion that the user is able to achieve during exercise.The exercise capacity may be a maximum exercise intensity of the user.

For a user determined to have a high exercise capacity based on theanaerobic threshold, the exercise program providing unit 1004 mayprovide an exercise program having an exercise intensity exceeding theanaerobic threshold designed to improve the exercise capacity and thecardiovascular endurance of the user. For a user determined to have alow exercise capacity based on the anaerobic threshold, the exerciseprogram providing unit 1004 may provide an exercise program having anexercise intensity near the anaerobic threshold but not exceeding theanaerobic threshold designed to maintain a level of fitness of the useror to burn fat. The exercise program providing unit 1004 may provide auser with an individualized exercise program to meet an exercisecapacity of a user based on an anaerobic threshold. The exercise guideapparatus 1002 may enable a user to maximize an exercise effect within agiven time period by providing the user with an optimal exercise programfor an exercise capacity of the user.

The apparatus 101 for estimating an anaerobic threshold, the heart ratedetecting unit 102, and the anaerobic threshold estimating unit 103illustrated in FIG. 1; the apparatus 401 for estimating an anaerobicthreshold, the kinetic energy calculating unit 402, and the anaerobicthreshold estimating unit 403 illustrated in FIG. 4; the sensing device601, the user terminal 603, and the server 605 illustrated in FIG. 6;the sensing device 701, the potential signal electrode unit 702, thedifferential amplifying unit 703, the motion sensing unit 704, thetransmitting unit 705; the user terminal 706, the receiving unit 707,the heart rate detecting unit 708, the kinetic energy calculating unit709, the gradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 710, theheart rate trend measuring unit 711, the anaerobic threshold estimatingunit 712, the exercise goal setting unit 713, the exercise guide unit714, the display unit 715, the speaker unit 716, the communication unit717, and the server 718 illustrated in FIG. 7; the sensing device 801,the user terminal 804, and the server 805 illustrated in FIG. 8; thesensing device 901, the potential signal electrode unit 902, thedifferential amplifying unit 903, the heart rate detecting unit 904, themotion sensing unit 905, the kinetic energy calculating unit 906, thegradual increase in exercise intensity evaluating unit 907, the heartrate trend measuring unit 908, the anaerobic threshold estimating unit909, the exercise goal setting unit 910, the exercise guide unit 911,the user terminal 912, the display unit 913, the speaker unit 914, thecommunication unit 915, and the server 916 illustrated in FIG. 9; andthe anaerobic threshold estimating apparatus 1001 and the exercise guideapparatus 1002 illustrated in FIG. 10 that perform the variousoperations illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 may be implemented using oneor more hardware components, one or more software components, or acombination of one or more hardware components and one or more softwarecomponents.

A hardware component may be, for example, a physical device thatphysically performs one or more operations, but is not limited thereto.Examples of hardware components include resistors, capacitors,inductors, power supplies, frequency generators, operational amplifiers,power amplifiers, low-pass filters, high-pass filters, band-passfilters, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, andprocessing devices.

A software component may be implemented, for example, by a processingdevice controlled by software or instructions to perform one or moreoperations, but is not limited thereto. A computer, controller, or othercontrol device may cause the processing device to run the software orexecute the instructions. One software component may be implemented byone processing device, or two or more software components may beimplemented by one processing device, or one software component may beimplemented by two or more processing devices, or two or more softwarecomponents may be implemented by two or more processing devices.

A processing device may be implemented using one or more general-purposeor special-purpose computers, such as, for example, a processor, acontroller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, amicrocomputer, a field-programmable array, a programmable logic unit, amicroprocessor, or any other device capable of running software orexecuting instructions. The processing device may run an operatingsystem (OS), and may run one or more software applications that operateunder the OS. The processing device may access, store, manipulate,process, and create data when running the software or executing theinstructions. For simplicity, the singular term “processing device” maybe used in the description, but one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that a processing device may include multiple processingelements and multiple types of processing elements. For example, aprocessing device may include one or more processors, or one or moreprocessors and one or more controllers. In addition, differentprocessing configurations are possible, such as parallel processors ormulti-core processors.

A processing device configured to implement a software component toperform an operation A may include a processor programmed to runsoftware or execute instructions to control the processor to performoperation A. In addition, a processing device configured to implement asoftware component to perform an operation A, an operation B, and anoperation C may have various configurations, such as, for example, aprocessor configured to implement a software component to performoperations A, B, and C; a first processor configured to implement asoftware component to perform operation A, and a second processorconfigured to implement a software component to perform operations B andC; a first processor configured to implement a software component toperform operations A and B, and a second processor configured toimplement a software component to perform operation C; a first processorconfigured to implement a software component to perform operation A, asecond processor configured to implement a software component to performoperation B, and a third processor configured to implement a softwarecomponent to perform operation C; a first processor configured toimplement a software component to perform operations A, B, and C, and asecond processor configured to implement a software component to performoperations A, B, and C, or any other configuration of one or moreprocessors each implementing one or more of operations A, B, and C.Although these examples refer to three operations A, B, C, the number ofoperations that may implemented is not limited to three, but may be anynumber of operations required to achieve a desired result or perform adesired task.

Software or instructions for controlling a processing device toimplement a software component may include a computer program, a pieceof code, an instruction, or some combination thereof, for independentlyor collectively instructing or configuring the processing device toperform one or more desired operations. The software or instructions mayinclude machine code that may be directly executed by the processingdevice, such as machine code produced by a compiler, and/or higher-levelcode that may be executed by the processing device using an interpreter.The software or instructions and any associated data, data files, anddata structures may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any typeof machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, computer storagemedium or device, or a propagated signal wave capable of providinginstructions or data to or being interpreted by the processing device.The software or instructions and any associated data, data files, anddata structures also may be distributed over network-coupled computersystems so that the software or instructions and any associated data,data files, and data structures are stored and executed in a distributedfashion.

For example, the software or instructions and any associated data, datafiles, and data structures may be recorded, stored, or fixed in one ormore non-transitory computer-readable storage media. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium may be any data storage device that iscapable of storing the software or instructions and any associated data,data files, and data structures so that they can be read by a computersystem or processing device. Examples of a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium include read-only memory (ROM),random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs,CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs,BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-opticaldata storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks,solid-state disks, or any other non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing theexamples disclosed herein can be easily constructed by a programmerskilled in the art to which the examples pertain based on the drawingsand their corresponding descriptions as provided herein.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made in these examples without departing from the spiritand scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples describedherein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not forpurposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in eachexample are to be considered as being applicable to similar features oraspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if thedescribed techniques are performed in a different order, and/or ifcomponents in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit arecombined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by othercomponents or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosureis defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and theirequivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and theirequivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for estimating an anaerobicthreshold, the apparatus comprising: a heart rate detector configured todetect a heart rate from a signal sensed from a user; and an anaerobicthreshold estimator configured to estimate an anaerobic threshold of theuser based on a change in the heart rate.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the anaerobic threshold estimator is further configured toestimate the anaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of theheart rate corresponding to the change in the heart rate.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the anaerobic threshold estimator isfurther configured to estimate the anaerobic threshold based on a timeit takes for the heart rate to reach a steady state at a predeterminedexercise intensity of exercise being performed by the user, and theheart rate in the steady state.
 4. An apparatus for estimating ananaerobic threshold, the apparatus comprising: a kinetic energycalculator configured to calculate a kinetic energy of a physical motionsensed from a user; and an anaerobic threshold estimator configured toestimate an anaerobic threshold of the user based on a change in a heartrate of the user and the calculated kinetic energy.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the kinetic energy calculator is further configured tomonitor whether an exercise intensity of exercise being performed by theuser is gradually increasing based on an amount of activity performed bythe user measured based on the calculated kinetic energy.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the anaerobic threshold estimator isfurther configured to estimate the anaerobic threshold based on adeflection point of the heart rate occurring while the exerciseintensity is gradually increasing.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe anaerobic threshold estimator is further configured to estimate theanaerobic threshold based on a deflection point of the heart ratecorresponding to the change in the heart rate.
 8. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the anaerobic threshold estimator is further configured toestimate the anaerobic threshold based on a time it takes for the heartrate to reach a steady state at a predetermined exercise intensity ofexercise being performed by the user, and a heart rate in the steadystate.
 9. An exercise guide apparatus comprising: an anaerobic thresholdreceiver configured to receive an anaerobic threshold of a userestimated based on a heart rate of the user from an anaerobic thresholdestimating apparatus; and an exercise program provider configured toprovide an exercise program to meet an exercise goal associated withpersonal information of the user based on the anaerobic threshold. 10.The exercise guide apparatus of claim 9, wherein the exercise programprovider is further configured to adjust an exercise intensity of theexercise program based on the exercise goal associated with the personalinformation of the user and the anaerobic threshold.
 11. An apparatusfor estimating an anaerobic threshold, the apparatus comprising: asensor configured to sense a signal from a user; and an estimatorconfigured to detect whether an exercise intensity of exercise beingperformed by a user has a predetermined pattern based on the signal, andestimate an anaerobic threshold of the user in response to the exerciseintensity having the predetermined pattern.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the predetermined pattern of exercise intensity is agradually increasing exercise intensity.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a second sensor configured to sense a second signalfrom the user; wherein the estimator is further configured to estimatean anaerobic threshold of the user in response to the exercise intensityhaving the predetermined pattern based on the second signal.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the signal is a signal indicative of aphysical motion of the user; and the second signal is a signalindicative of a heart rate of the user.
 15. An apparatus for estimatingan anaerobic threshold, the apparatus comprising: a detector configuredto detect a signal sensed from the user; and an estimator configured toestimate an anaerobic threshold of the user based on a change in thesignal.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the estimator is furtherconfigured to estimate the anaerobic threshold of the user based on adeflection point of the signal corresponding to the change in thesignal.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a detectorconfigured to detect a physical motion of the user; wherein theestimator is further configured to estimate the anaerobic thresholdbased on the signal and the physical motion of the user.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the estimator is further configured toestimate the anaerobic threshold based on the signal in response to thephysical motion corresponding to a predetermined pattern of exerciseintensity of exercise being performed by the user.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the predetermined pattern of exercise intensity is agradually increasing exercise intensity.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the estimator is further configured to estimate the anaerobicthreshold based on a time it takes for the signal to reach a steadystate at a predetermined exercise intensity of exercise being performedby the user, and a value of the signal in the steady state.